Naryn Governor Praises UCA’s First Residential Campus at Community Open House

The University of Central Asia (UCA), in partnership with the Naryn Governor and Mayor’s Office hosted an open house and tour of UCA’s Naryn campus on 29 February 2016. An estimated 300 people attended the event, highlighting the crucial partnership between the Naryn community and UCA, Central Asia’s first regional, fully residential university based in three countries.

Amanbay Kayipov, Governor of Naryn Oblast welcomed distinguished representatives of the Oblast, the municipal administration, as well as community and business leaders and academics from universities and schools.

“AKDN is funding the construction and development of the University of Central Asia to be the pride of our town. It is my hope that UCA helps Naryn become a centre of culture, education and science for the Kyrgyz Republic and the region,” said Governor Kayipov. “UCA will be a great stimulus for our community, for our children, and for education in the region. I encourage you all to spread the word about UCA.”

Naryn citizens were briefed on UCA’s first undergraduate residential campus in Naryn and its contribution to the local community and the broader Kyrgyz Republic. The University is building three residential campuses of the same stature, facility and standards, and the Naryn campus is scheduled to accept its first students in September 2016. The second campus at Khorog, Tajikistan is due for completion next summer and the third at Tekeli, Kazakhstan is anticipated in 2019.

“Education is the greatest investment we can make in our children’s future. We must provide a good education from the earliest years to prepare students from our region to someday attend UCA,” said Rakhat Adiev, Naryn Mayor. “UCA will create future leaders who will influence not only the Kyrgyz Republic, but the entire region.”

The town hall meeting offered citizens their first opportunity to tour the near complete facilities, designed by internationally renowned architect Arata Isosaki and Associates.

“On behalf of all teachers and educational staff, I want to express my gratitude to AKDN and UCA for building a university of this quality in a mountainous region like Naryn,” said a teacher from neighbouring Atbashy village who toured the campus.

Shamsh Kassim-Lakha, Executive Chairman of the University’s Board Executive Committee, provided information on the multiple activities of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) in the Kyrgyz Republic, including their extensive work in Naryn Oblast. To enhance the quality of life of Naryn citizens, the Aga Khan Development Network is also renovating a Town Park and establishing a Family Medicine and Diagnostic Clinic. Investments in a housing facility for faculty and citizens, as well as an Early Childhood Development Centre, are also planned. He noted that more than 500 workers, the majority from Naryn Oblast have contributed to building the UCA campus over the past two years. They have learned new and sophisticated construction techniques that have prepared them to work on other high quality projects.

The event also highlighted the work of Naryn entrepreneurs and small businesses, some who were trained at UCA’s School of Professional and Continuing Education (SPCE) and supported by soft loans from the AKDN-sponsored Kyrgyz Investment and Credit Bank (KICB) and First Microfinance Credit Company (FMCC).

Dr Bohdan Krawchenko, UCA Director General and Dean of Graduate Studies, outlined the undergraduate programme, criteria and process of admissions and responded to questions.

UCA’s undergraduate programme, taught in English, will offer majors and minors that are closely aligned with Central Asian human resource needs. It has the smallest student to faculty ratio in the region (9 to 1), and brand new, modern facilities. UCA offers generous financial aid that includes merit-based scholarships, needs-based grants, and student loans on accessible terms.

“In keeping with the Charter of UCA, students will be admitted on the basis of merit and potential for leadership. The University’s generous financial aid programme will ensure that those admitted will not be denied education because of financial hardship,” Dr Krawchenko explained. “We hope you will join us in welcoming some of the brightest young minds in the region to study in Naryn.”

UCA launched its inaugural admissions campaign in February to recruit Central Asia’s most promising students. The deadline for application is 18 March, with an admission examination to be administered on 3 April. Undergraduate specialisations in Computer Science, and Communications and Media will be offered in Naryn. The second campus opening in Khorog, Tajikistan in September 2017 will offer Economics as well as Earth and Environmental Sciences.

UCA and the town of Naryn have a longstanding positive relationship. Since 2006, UCA has completed the Naryn State Road and handed it over to the Kyrgyz Government, launched SPCE’s town campus, provided water and power to neighbouring Tosh Bulak village, stabilised the bank of the Naryn River and constructed comprehensive welfare facilities for construction site employees.